Strange life forms create an “alien” ecosystem in an abandoned uranium mine

Big Think ^ | 02/03/2023 | Ross Pomeroy

[BenLurkin]

In the 1960s, one pocket of uranium hidden within the mountains was transformed into a productive mine, and the massive element used as fuel for nuclear fission was extracted to the tune of more than 1,000 tonnes per year. But by 1990, the Königstein mine‘s production had fallen off, and much of the mine was flooded...

Then strange life forms started to move in, prompting the mine’s keepers to call in scientists...

In the damp, dark, acidic, uranium-filled environment, biofilms composed of microbes had taken over. Orange acidic “streamers” looking like long, thin worms lazily swayed in the liquid drainage channels. Brown and white stalactite-like slime communities oozed from the ceilings, creating the impression that the walls were melting. In this underground place — literally a radioactive wasteland — life was rampant.

The microbes found in the sludges included not only single-celled bacteria but multi-celled eukaryotes. Researchers from nearby universities in Dresden discovered shape-altering amoebae, squid-like Heterolobosea, stalk-like stramenopiles, multi-appendaged flagellates, many-formed ciliates, and creeping fungi. Bdelloid rotifers 50 micrometers wide and 200 micrometers long were the largest microorganisms seen.

In this place — as acidic as soda or grapefruit juice — acid-loving bacteria gain energy from reducing iron and sulfur, forming the slimy stalactites as they proliferate. Tiny eukaryotes like flagellates then feed on these bacteria, which are in turn eaten by bigger ciliates. Amoebae and fungi follow, consuming the smaller microorganisms or decomposing their deceased remains. Much larger rotifers are the apex eaters, consuming both organic detritus and preying on protozoa.

[BenLurkin]

Credit: I. Zirnstein et al, MicrobiologyOpen, 2012

[Rurudyne]

Snot-topia

[DannyTN]

That’s great news. If we turn the earth into a radioactive wasteland, life will still thrive.

Of course human kind might get a little strange, but then it already has.

[Red Badger]

[Bob434]

Great, more land off limits to development due to some new protected life form.

[fireman15]

Great, more land off limits to development due to some new protected life form.

Yes, all life must be protected except for human babies.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Wait a minute! That’s the biological profile of my Ex-husband! I have that patented! ;)

[alexander_busek]

In the damp, dark, acidic, uranium-filled environment, biofilms composed of microbes had taken over. Orange acidic “streamers” looking like long, thin worms lazily swayed in the liquid drainage channels. Brown and white stalactite-like slime communities oozed from the ceilings, creating the impression that the walls were melting.

A public housing project in a Democrat-controlled city?

Regards,

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks BenLurkin.

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• Does The Earth Harbors a Huge, Natural Nuclear Reactor at its Core -New Discovery Proves "No" [03/31/2010]

[SunkenCiv]

[Red Badger]

Scientists were stunned to find wildlife flourishing around the Chernobyl power plant many decades after the worst nuclear accident in world history.

They were puzzled at finding every kind of wildlife they tested was radioactive, yet perfectly healthy otherwise.

From tiny rodents to bear, deer and moose, every animal was radioactive.

Then they finally figured it out: The animals do not live long enough for the radiation to become a problem...................

[null and void]

1 billion heartbeats for animals.

4 billion heartbeats for humans...